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Now is the time to get in on the best deals on the best wines from the Bordeaux 2005 vintage. Buying now, before the wines are bottled and on store shelves (if they ever reach store shelves, which in many cases in unlikely), is called buying en primeur – while the wine is still maturing in the barrel.
Many of these wines have very limited availability. Purchases are on a first-come first-served basis. Full payment is required to confirm your order. Prices are very date sensitive and are subject to change without notice. Futures are sold by the case only; bottle prices are displayed for comparison purposes only.
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Description
As usual, the 2005 Bahans-Haut-Brion mirrors its bigger brother, but is softer with more forward fruit as well as lighter tannin. Its aromas and flavors are similar to those of Haut-Brion. It should last a lot longer than its forwardness would suggest (the 1989 is still drinking beautifully), drinking well for 15 or more years. |
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Barde-Haut |
St. Emilion |
Robert Parker 91-93 |
2005 |
$39.95 |
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Description
From a well-situated, 43-acre vineyard next to the fabulous Troplong-Mondot, the beautiful 2005 Barde-Haut, under the leadership of Helene Garcin, offers abundant amounts of sweet berry fruit intermixed with licorice, pain grille, and barbecue spice notes. This plush, pure, medium to full-bodied effort will provide delicious drinking in 3-4 years, and last for two decades. |
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Batailley |
Pauillac |
Robert Parker 90-93 |
2005 |
$39.95 |
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Description
One of the finest examples I have ever tasted of Batailley (which is difficult to evaluate young as it is made in such a tannic, primordial style), the 2005 reveals both charm and power. It possesses a deep ruby/purple hue along with powerful creme de cassis notes intermixed with cedar, incense, and spicy oak. Fleshy and full-bodied with abundant power as well as sweet tannin, and present but unobtrusive acidity, this beauty will benefit from 5-6 years of bottle age, and should keep for 25+. |
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Description
Perhaps the finest wine this estate has made since I began my career nearly 30 years ago, the 2005 is a blend of 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon made from yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare. This is one of the few grand cru St.-Emilions that is available in reasonable quantities (6,000+ cases). Intense and rich with a tannic structure that suggests 5-7 years of cellaring will be necessary, it should keep for 25-30 years. |
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Bellevue |
St. Emilion |
Robert Parker 94-96 |
2005 |
$99.95 |
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Description
The spectacular 2005 Bellevue should rival, possibly eclipse their 2000. This 15.5-acre, south/southwest facing vineyard, near both Beau Sejour Becot and Beausejour-Duffau as well as Angelus, has been on a qualitative roll since Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt began to manage the estate in 2000. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, it possesses an extraordinary mineral component along with huge, sweet blackberry and cassis notes with hints of raspberries and crushed rocks. A super black/purple color only hints at the wine's richness, massive concentration, and monster tannins. It represents the essence of terroir. Some people were surprised that Bellevue was not promoted in the new St.-Emilion classification, but they have only been making high quality wines since 2000. Prior to that, there was a succession of mediocrities. The 2,000-case 2005 came in at a whopping 14.5% natural alcohol, but the alcohol is barely noticeable due to the wine's richness. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2028+. |
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Description
Unquestionably the best example of Bellisle-Mondotte (which lives in the shadow of its neighbor, La Mondotte) I have yet tasted, the 2005 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with sweet black fruit notes interwoven with new oak, licorice, and loamy soil undertones. Medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic, fresh, lively, and vibrant, it will provide enjoyable drinking over the next 15 years. |
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Description
The quintessentially elegant yet powerful 2005 may be the finest Beychevelle made since 1982. Its opaque ruby/purple color and sweet nose of camphor, blueberries, black currants, flowers, and crushed rocks precede a lovely, sweet, rich wine with zesty acidity delineating its medium to full-bodied personality, laser-like precision, and impressive purity and length. While this estate often does not live up to its pedigree, the 2005 is the real deal. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025+. |
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Description
Boyd-Cantenac consistently fashions powerful clarets that often fly under the radar of consumers. That's a shame as Bordeaux lovers should be purchasing it as it is one of the least expensive cru classes in the marketplace. An inky/purple color is followed by aromas of pen ink, blackberries, cassis, licorice, spring flowers, and truffles. Powerful and dense, with fabulous intensity, purity, structure, and tannin, like many of these muscular 2005s, this classic will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+. |
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WINE OF THE MONTH
Cabernet Sauvignon/Franc, "Vintner's Red", Avontuur, 2005 - 2005
ZA/Stellenbosch
$11.95
click here for details
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